Disco de The Who: “Then and Now: 1964-2004”

How do you capture The Who on one CD? It's impossible. What I always suggest to people not familiar with The Who is to start off with "Meaty Beaty Big & Bouncy" which is their greatest hits just of the 60's. If you like that, then you have to buy "Who's Next" which is their greatest album. After that album blows you away, then try "Quadrophenia" which is a true Who Fan's favorite album. If you want more, then get "Tommy". If you don't mind live albums, then get the greatest live album ever with "Live at Leeds". Then you're almost done, get "Who Are You". By this point, you are a true Who fan. Congratulations. If you want just the greatest hits of the 70's - they had a double album called "Hooligans" that did a good job. I also like the "30 Years of Maximum R&B" 4 CD box set (again if don't mind live songs mixed in with the studio versions - it's mostly studio). Obviously, Townshend is one of the greatest rock writers and performers of all time (check out his solo stuff)- I think he deserves a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist - you can sign the petition at petitiononline.com/garjen

Also, there's a website called supergroup.netfirms.com where Pete plays rhythm for a UK Supergroup battle against a USA Supergroup in a charity battle of the bands concept.

(rated 4 & 1/2 stars for the music; 2 stars for the concept)

From the opening guitar chords of "I can't explain" to the closing notes of "You Better You Bet," this sure is some powerful music. Daltrey's impassioned vocals, Townshend's guitar heroics, Entwistle's distinctive bass lines, and Moon's unrestrained bashing -- it all makes a good case for the Who's place as one of the 3 bands vying for the "Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band" title. However, the real relevant question with this collection is was there any real justification for releasing it? When there already seem to be a hundred or so other Who compilations out, is there any reason to buy this one? The immediate and obvious answer is the two new songs on Then & Now, "Real Good Looking Boy" and "Old Red Wine." But the new tunes are good rather than great -- they really don't belong side-by-side with such masterpieces as "Behind Blue Eyes" and "Won't Get Fooled Again." Despite its touching nature as a tribute to John, "Old Red Wine" is a relatively weak entry in the Who canon. I'm also of the belief that a Who fan is better served by one of the 2-CD comps, or even the Maximum R&B box set. Those make much better transitions from the group's early "British Invasion" days to their ascendancy in the '70s. I guess if you have to have a single-disc Who hits collection - and to hear the theme for "CSI:NYC" - this would be good. But it just seems like a money-grubbing record company situation to me.

At first blush, it seems as though this album falls into the genre of "Greatest Hit Album Greatest Hits." Most of this collection has been heard before, in one form or another, and some of the choices here are puzzling. The omission of Baba O'Riley is especially curious.

Ah, but what about the new material? As good as it is, it underscores the basic problem that has followed The Who throughout their long career as arguably the greatest rock act ever: there is simply no way to capture the raw power that the band generates on stage while in the studio. Anyone who has seen them play live can attest to this. It's not just a matter of wattage. Even with Keith Moon and now John Entwistle gone, (ably replaced here by Zak Starky and ELP's Greg Lake), the band on stage has always proved to be more than the sum of the parts. Clearly there is some kind of fusion at work that makes them an impossible act to follow (witness their performance at The Concert for New York, when they all but blew the Stones off the stage.) Many credit their recent succes to Townshend's return to the electric guitar, after years of playing accoustic to save what remains of his hearing.

"Old Red Wine" was peformed in unfinshed form during the 2002 tour as a coda to My Generation. Townshend finally tried out the words at the Toronto gig. He's always played the guitar as somewhat of a percussive instrument, and when he launched into a Beethoven-esque guitar attack at the close of the song it brought the house down. On the recorded version he plays with the same ferocity, while Daltry demonstrates that while he's lost some of his range, he hasn't lost an iota of power.

"Real Good Looking Boy", an ode to Elvis, harkens back to Quadrophenia with its themes of teenage angst, self-doubt, and (at times) toxic parenting. Townshend is obviously still trying to make peace with himself. Daltry, meanwhile, seems to be at peace, and enjoying every opportunity to perform as he and Townshend crowd their 60th birthdays.

More live gigs have been announced for this year, and any serious Who fan should see this remarkable band while they still can. In the meantime, this album will more than do.

The two new tracks by the who are excellent and show roger and pete in top form. The new band members fit in well for the new tracks.

REAL GOOD LOOKING BOY- Good rocking song. Shows the Who is back. Best who song since emminence front!

OLD WINE- Nice song. About Entwistle supposedly. He like wine... Watch out for the end of this song.. IT ROCKS

check this out

This album should only be reviewed on its own merits. Looking at other past compilations dilutes the idea that this set can have its own strong impact. If it hadn't been for an old 70's compilation -Hooligans(never in print on CD), I may never have been clued into what an amazing band The WHO are. That being said, this is a great compilation. The new songs are cool, and Real Good Looking Boy goes back to the formula of Pete writing something that is better communicated through Roger's voice. The song selection is good for a primer. Hopefully, some 14 year old buys this and is moved to go deeper as I did. If this package can do that, and I see no reason why it couldn't, then it is an outstanding CD. Oh, in addition, I really do like the packaging.